Is the Dual-Stage 4 Grid Ion Drive the Key to Faster Space Travel?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the Dual-Stage 4 Grid Ion Drive (DS4G) and its potential for faster space travel, with the original poster questioning its scientific validity due to a lack of media coverage. Despite claims that DS4G could significantly reduce travel times to planets, participants emphasize that theoretical numbers do not prove feasibility or viability without practical demonstrations. They suggest that while DS4G has been demonstrated, further testing, such as delivering payloads to Mars or Jupiter, is necessary to validate its effectiveness. The conversation also touches on the complexities of long-duration space missions, including human health concerns. Ultimately, the thread highlights the need for peer-reviewed research before discussing new technologies in detail.
darkdave3000
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TL;DR Summary
Is it scientific?
My post was removed originally about a designed based on this new engine. I don't know what specific forum rule I broke, I read the entire thing. But I am posting a new threat to ask about the validity of this specific technology. I am asking because there seems to be zero media coverage of it and no youtube videos about it either. Is it scientific? Will it work?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-Stage_4-Grid
https://www.esa.int/gsp/ACT/doc/PRO/ACT-RPR-PRO-IAC2006-DS4G-C4.4.7.pdf

Based on the numbers in wikipedia our long distance travel times have been solved. We can travel to the planets in a fraction of the time quoted by conventional engines now.

So my question is, what am I missing here? Is it just underated by coincidence?
 
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darkdave3000 said:
TL;DR Summary: Is it scientific?

Is it scientific? Will it work?
darkdave3000 said:
TL;DR Summary: Is it scientific?

Based on the numbers in wikipedia our long distance travel times have been solved. We can travel to the planets in a fraction of the time quoted by conventional engines now.
Based on numbers in Wikipedia doesn't prove/demonstrate anything in terms of feasibility or viability, nor does it prove/demonstrate that 'we can travel to the planets in a fraction of the time'.

DS4G has been demonstrated. There are plenty of references. It would still need demonstration, e.g., delivering a payload to Mars orbit, and Jupiter. I would recommend sending unmanned craft to say Jupiter and Saturn, which could still take years - and then what. A round trip is way more complicated than one-way, and I'm not sure how many folks are ready for a decades-long trip. Deterioration of the human body would be significant. Up to now, NASA has used gravity assist to get spacecraft far out to Jupiter, Saturn and the outer planets.

This is an aerospace engineering topic, not an astronomy/astrophysics topic.
 
Do you want me to move this to an engineering part of the forum then? I thought it's astronomy because it's about space flight.

Well in my original thread that got deleted I did all the specific impulse and one way two way trip numbers. It showed that based on the performance numbers it can get us to Mars in 3 weeks and Titan in 7 months.

[Link deleted by the Mentors]
 
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darkdave3000 said:
TL;DR Summary: Is it scientific?

My post was removed originally about a designed based on this new engine. I don't know what specific forum rule I broke
This was not a good start to that previous thread of yours:
I would like to invite you to peer review my idea.

We do not conduct peer review here at PF on new work, and especially on new work that you want to publish at your own website.

The Mentors will review this new thread of yours to see if it can continue in some form. Give us a bit of time...
 
Update -- please be sure to publish your ideas in acceptable peer-reviewed journals before trying to discuss them here. Thank you, this thread is done.
 
Due to the constant never ending supply of "cool stuff" happening in Aerospace these days I'm creating this thread to consolidate posts every time something new comes along. Please feel free to add random information if its relevant. So to start things off here is the SpaceX Dragon launch coming up shortly, I'll be following up afterwards to see how it all goes. :smile: https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex/
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